Photo courtesy the Ethiopian Heritage Society in North America (EHSNA)

Tadias Magazine
By Dagnachew Teklu

Published: Friday, July 26, 2013

Washington D.C. (TADIAS) – The third annual Ethiopian Heritage Society festival will commence today in Washington DC with an opening ceremony scheduled this evening at the Holiday Inn (2101 Wisconsin Ave, NW). A panel discussion is also due to be held tomorrow at Marriott Arlington. According to organizers, most of the festivities will take place on the campus of George Washington University on Saturday and Sunday.

The event’s public relation officer, Kaleb Amare, told Tadias that preparation has been finalized to warm up attendees who are expected to gather from various states for the three-day occasion.

“Several cultural shows as well live concert by Ethio Jazz Band will entertain the community,” Kaleb said. “We have invited musicians Berhanu Tezera and Abdu Keyar.” He added: “Art exhibitions, food and craft, town-hall meetings, sports activities, traditional and contemporary dance performances will make the weekend an enjoyable, and hopefully a thoughtful time for all.”

Kaleb said the annual heritage festival, organized by the Ethiopian Heritage Society in North America (EHSNA), will include an award ceremony in recognition of “selected individuals” for their dedication in advancing “progressive ideas” in Ethiopia, such as freedom of the press, and religion. “Unfortunately, none of the honorees EHSNA has selected in recognition of their work for liberty are able to be present at the festival,” EHSNA said. “They are in jail or dead.”

The organization added, however, that it has found “worthy individuals” to accept the accolades on behalf of the honorees, which this year includes Reeyot Alemu, Abune Petros, and eight Muslim leaders who are currently incarcerated. Abune Gorgorios, a leading scholar in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, will accept the award for the martyred church bishop and national hero. Journalist Tizita Belachew will speak for Reeyot Alemu. And a members of Bader Ethiopia, an International Ethiopian Muslim Association, will receive the recognition on behalf of the eight Muslim leaders and their supporters, organizers said.
—IF You Go
Ethiopian Heritage Society – 3rd Festival
July 26 to 28
Georgetown University
3611 Canal Street
Washington, D.C, NW 20007
More info at www.ehsna.org.
—Related:8th Ethiopian Diaspora Business Forum to Be Held in D.C. (TADIAS)Taste of Ethiopia 2013 in Aurora a palate pleaser via ethnic food (Denver Post)